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Commercial red drum, seatrout seasons open in Jan., Feb.

BILOXI, Miss. – Officials with the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources are reminding commercial fishermen that two fishing seasons open early in 2015.

Red drum season opens at 12:01 a.m. Jan. 1, 2015. The commercial quota for this fish is 50,000 pounds. Once that quota is reached, MDMR will close the season.

Spotted seatrout season opens at 12:01 a.m. Feb. 1, 2015. The commercial quota for seatrout also is 50,000 pounds, but it is split into two four-month seasons.

The first season runs from February through May. If the 25,000-pound quota is met, the season will close and reopen June 1. If the 25,000-pound quota is not met before the end of May, the remaining quota will be added to the second season.

The second season will end when the quota is reached. However, it will not extend past the end of September, whether or not the quota is met.

The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the DMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.